The School in the Woods

Black Forest, Colorado

Located in scenic Black Forest, Colorado, the School in the Woods in Academy School District 20 is a unique science integrated program tailored to 4th grade students. Their field-based education program encourages students to learn as much outdoors as they do inside the classroom. To accommodate their expanding needs, the School in the Woods reached out to RTA to design a new building that meets their requirements as a growing community while simultaneously serving as an environmental teaching tool.

 Elementary Schools

Project Details

  • Square footage: 9,800 
  • Project cost: $3.85M

Design Details

  • Flexible learning suites
  • 21st Century learning environment
  • Outdoor learning spaces
  • Curiosity Center
  • Forest views
  • Daylighting
  • Environmentally conscious design
  • Learning stair
  • Photography by David Lauer
School in the Woods Interior Photo hallway 1000x1500
School in the Woods Interior Photo breakout 1000x1500

The new 9,500 square-foot School in the Woods will replace four existing modular buildings and will increase student capacity and continue to support its robust community outreach program and home school academy. Flexible learning suites, outdoor learning spaces, and a curiosity center will support the School’s academically challenging “naturalist” based curriculum for fourth grade students.

School in the Woods Exterior Photo 3 1500x1000

Working with GE Johnson Construction Company and a Design Advisory Group consisting of students, parents, alumni, teachers, and District staff, the design goal of the new building will be to achieve an energy efficient and environmentally conscious solution that exists in harmony with the Black Forest environment.

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◆  Architecture
■  Master Planning
●  Interior Design
19 South Tejon Street, Suite 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 471-7566